Residents on High Alert as Mackenzie River Flood Peak Approaches

Communities across Queensland's Central Highlands remain on high alert as a major flood warning continues for the Mackenzie River, which is expected to peak on Thursday morning.

Bureau of Meteorology data shows the river exceeded the major flood threshold on Wednesday afternoon, rising more than a metre above the warning level. By mid-morning Thursday, the river reached 16.19 metres at the Tartrus Gauge.

Emergency warnings remain in place for low-lying areas along the river corridor between Rockhampton and Emerald, with residents urged to leave immediately due to dangerous flooding conditions. Both Central Highlands Regional Council and Livingstone Shire Council have issued evacuation and safety alerts.

Forecasters are also closely monitoring thunderstorm activity across already-saturated parts of north-west Queensland and the Gulf Country, where further flooding remains a serious risk.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Morgan Pumpa said while storm activity is widespread, rainfall totals have so far been limited.
"It is quite active, those thunderstorms, but not bringing us much in the way of rainfall just yet," she said.

Attention is also turning downstream, with Fitzroy River levels expected to rise steadily into the weekend and early next week as floodwaters from the Mackenzie move through the catchment. Moderate flooding is possible in Rockhampton from Monday, with the river forecast to peak around 7.5 metres by Wednesday. Residents in flood-prone areas are being urged to prepare.

Major flood warnings remain in force for the Connors-Isaac and Mackenzie rivers, as well as the Georgina River and the lower Flinders River. The weather system is expected to gradually shift west towards the Northern Territory border in coming days.

Meanwhile, the Central Queensland town of Clermont is beginning recovery efforts following its worst flooding in more than a century. More than 230 millimetres of rain fell over Sunday and Monday, causing rapid river rises that inundated parts of the town.

Isaac Regional Council estimates up to 71 homes were affected, with four sustaining significant damage. A community recovery centre has now opened in Clermont to support flood-impacted residents.